03-27-2002, 10:27 AM
Salve,<br>
<br>
The Roman empire did not fall because of a weakness in cavalry. Late Roman armies were still succesful on the battlefield, though not invincible (which the Roman army never was). Its army was made up of a combination of various troop types because that functioned best. In the west most barbarian opponents fielded primarily heavy infantry and the Roman answer to that was to use better equipped and disciplined heavy infantry supported by other arms. It would have made little sense to bring an army of only cavalry into the field, since throughout the ages cavalry has faced problems in defeating heavy infantry. Even in the high middle ages heavy cavalry was not universally effective against determined heavy infantry and needed careful selection of suitable ground and the cooperation of other arms to maximise its potential. It should also be noted that where Roman armies faced opponents who did rely primarily on cavalry, such as in the east, they nevertheless continued to field a combination of foot and horse rather than mimick the opposing type of army.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
<br>
The Roman empire did not fall because of a weakness in cavalry. Late Roman armies were still succesful on the battlefield, though not invincible (which the Roman army never was). Its army was made up of a combination of various troop types because that functioned best. In the west most barbarian opponents fielded primarily heavy infantry and the Roman answer to that was to use better equipped and disciplined heavy infantry supported by other arms. It would have made little sense to bring an army of only cavalry into the field, since throughout the ages cavalry has faced problems in defeating heavy infantry. Even in the high middle ages heavy cavalry was not universally effective against determined heavy infantry and needed careful selection of suitable ground and the cooperation of other arms to maximise its potential. It should also be noted that where Roman armies faced opponents who did rely primarily on cavalry, such as in the east, they nevertheless continued to field a combination of foot and horse rather than mimick the opposing type of army.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander van Dorst <p></p><i></i>
